Not all times of the year are the same. During peak season, you might want stricter conditions, while in months with lower demand, you might prefer to offer more flexibility. With the new seasonal cancellation policies and custom release feature in Channel PRO, you can tailor your strategy according to the dates, offering clearer and more attractive options to your guests.
What this feature allows
Seasonal cancellation policies: define which policies will be available during certain periods and which will not. The system will mark as "closed" the policies you don't want to offer on those dates, so on Booking.com, guests will only see the ones that are active.
Custom release: apply a different release for each cancellation policy, meaning you set how many days before check-in a guest can book under each condition.
👉 Example: you can offer a flexible policy with a 1-day release in low season and a strict policy with a 7-day release in high season.
How to set it up step by step
Access Channel PRO and go to the cancellation policies section.
Select whether you want to apply the changes at the account level or for a specific property.
Choose the cancellation policy and define the periods when you do not want it to be available.
Save the changes: the system will mark those dates as "closed" on Booking.com.
Set up the specific release for each policy, adjusting the number of days in advance allowed for booking.
Pay attention to the details
The system does not allow blocking the same dates in all policies, as this would equate to a closure of bookings. For that, you should use the Closure of bookings option.
Periods can only be blocked if you have more than one active cancellation policy.
For non-refundable policies configured as a promotion, the maximum release limit is 30 days.
Best practices
Use more flexible policies in low season to encourage bookings.
Reinforce stricter policies in high season to reduce last-minute cancellations.
Maintain clear communication with your guests: always explain which policy applies on each date.
Quick checklist
I have accessed the cancellation policies section in Channel PRO
I have defined the dates when I don't want certain policies to apply
I have set up different releases according to the type of policy
I have checked that there is always at least one policy available on all dates
I have verified that my policies match what I show on Booking.com
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I block all policies on the same dates?
The system will not allow it. To close bookings for a specific period, you must use the "Closure of bookings" option.
Can I apply these settings at the account level?
Yes, you can configure it both globally and property by property.
What is the maximum release for a promotional non-refundable policy?
30 days before check-in.
What happens on Booking.com when I close a policy on certain dates?
Guests will only see the policies that remain available for booking.
Is it mandatory to set a different release for each policy?
No. If you don't define a specific one, the general release configured in your account will apply.
Conclusion
Adapting your cancellation policies and release according to the season allows you to be more competitive and better respond to demand at any time of the year. It's a way to attract more bookings when you need them and protect your revenue during critical periods.